West Coast Eagles are embarking on an exciting new era under the guidance of newly appointed senior coach Daisy Pearce, who's bringing her wealth of finals experience to transform the team's fortunes.
From player to pioneer: Pearce's unique perspective
The former Melbourne Demons champion is drawing directly from her own hard-earned finals battles as she shapes the Eagles' approach to the upcoming 2025 season. Having experienced the pressure-cooker environment of AFLW finals firsthand, Pearce understands exactly what it takes to succeed when the stakes are highest.
"I've been in those big moments, I know what the players are feeling, and I can help guide them through that pressure," Pearce explained during preseason preparations.
Building a finals-ready mentality
Pearce's coaching philosophy centres on creating a resilient, adaptable team that can handle the intensity of finals football. Her personal experience in crucial matches provides invaluable insights that she's now passing on to her West Coast squad.
The Eagles are embracing this fresh approach, with players responding enthusiastically to Pearce's unique ability to translate her on-field success into coaching excellence. Her transition from elite player to senior coach represents one of the most intriguing stories in women's football.
Preseason transformation underway
Current training sessions reflect Pearce's distinctive style, blending technical development with mental preparation for high-pressure situations. The squad is showing promising signs of adapting to her game plan, which emphasises:
- Strategic decision-making under pressure
- Enhanced team cohesion and communication
- Developing multiple game styles for different opponents
- Building physical and mental resilience
A new dawn for West Coast
The appointment of Pearce signals a significant shift in the Eagles' women's program, with club leadership backing her vision completely. Her understanding of what separates good teams from genuine contenders could prove the difference as West Coast aims to climb the AFLW ladder.
As one club insider noted, "Daisy doesn't just know football - she knows winning football. That's the experience we need driving our program forward."
With Pearce at the helm and her finals expertise guiding their development, the West Coast Eagles are positioning themselves as a team to watch when the 2025 AFLW season kicks off.
